Encouragement after the Japan quake and tsunami.

For me personally, disasters such as these just plain freak me out. I have never been good for handling freak occurrences such as, and I come from Napier, a small town in New Zealand, which just happens to be in the most earthquake prone part of New Zealand. My heart breaks over this new event, over the lives lost and pain and sorrow in the hearts of people all over the world. My heart is trying (I need grace so bad!) to rest in the fact that God is sovereign and that he is in control of every aftershock, every death, every survival, every wave that strikes whichever country, and that ultimately, this will all glorify him in some way I cannot yet see.

Here are some verses to encourage believers as we reflect on this disaster:

"If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself" - 2 Timothy 2:11b-13


"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though mountains tremble at its swelling." - Psalm 46:1-3 (read the rest of this Psalm also)


"Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:13


"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16


"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9


"Whom have I heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25, 26